Inadequate infrastructure remains a major obstacle to South Africa achieving its full economic growth potential.Research by boutique consultancy GAIN Group has identified some serious challenges. The company has thoroughly analysed several projects – and was involved in the National Infrastructure Plan and the writing of a Road to Rail strategy for Operation Vulindlela, among others.Professor Jan Havenga, a director of GAIN Group, says deterioration of infrastructure is a problem, while there are also some major challenges and imbalances.“We have a deep information base, but we don’t think enough evidenced-based planning is done at all at the moment. It feels as if there is nobody at the helm. A complete vacuum so to speak,” he said.While the country is seemingly drifting, there is some good news. “Two recent policy documents accepted by Cabinet are promising – the National Infrastructure Plan and Rail Policy. But policy and policy implementation is not the same thing.”Professor Rose Luke of the University of Johannesburg’s department of transport and supply chain management agrees, saying there is nothing wrong with the country’s paperwork, but turning this into actionable projects has been problematic.“Some of the project ideas have also been big and bold, but not practical and not speaking to the big picture concerns. Others turn out to be too expensive – and then we have practical projects that just never get off the ground, like the PW 15 road development which would make a huge difference to logistics operations in Gauteng.”Both Havenga and Luke say the new national rail policy should be implemented immediately with fair and open access to the rail network, while at the same time efforts to fix the core rail corridors and the rural road system, in particular, should be speeded up.Improved collaboration between government stakeholders – and then with the private sector – is just as important.“We are very reluctant to work together in South Africa and it is to our detriment,” says Luke, indicating that much could be achieved through collaboration among industry role players. This would lead to an acceleration of the implementation of policies and plans.“We need to do all that we can to effect a turnaround of the current situation,” says Havenga. “A successful solution most certainly will have to include the private sector and civil society. Government alone will not be able to achieve the change needed in time without the support and collaboration of these other parties.”
